THE FOOTBALL MOM: Readers son upset by coaching changes

Friday

Oct 6, 2017 at 5:59 PM

DEAR FOOTBALL MOM: My son is playing D-II ball. He’s been on the traveling team for three years and is still a second-string player. His senior year is about to start. His position coach has changed, again. This makes three different coaches he’s been coached by since signing with the college. You can imagine how frustrating this has been for my son. To add insult to injury, this coach just told my son he would no longer be on the traveling team or even second string for home games. He is crushed, and I am steaming! My ex-husband says to keep quiet, but I can’t. What should I do, if anything?

THE FOOTBALL MOM SAYS: Wow, that is tough. Ask your son to be honest with you. Has he slacked off in any way? Does he like this new coach? If I had to guess, he and his new coach are like fire and ice and don’t see eye to eye at all. (It drives me nuts when the adults in the equation betray the kids already in place, i.e. your son’s position and his traveling team status. That does happen — I’ve seen it for myself.) Also, ask your son if he’d mind if you called his position coach, or even the head coach. Nothing wrong with getting on the horn and feeling the situation out. Keep a cool head and a kind attitude. “Just checking to see how things are going, and I’m curious as to what led to Mark’s demotion. Can he do anything to change Coach’s mind?” If not, or you sense some sort of Mickey Mousey stuff going on, inform said coach you’ll be glad to load up and be right there in his office tomorrow morning to discuss the matter, because you’re just not clear on how this happened. Make sure, however, that your son did not slack off, has kept his curfew, and isn’t causing trouble before you hall butt to campus and go to the mats for him. And make sure your son gives you the okay.

DEAR FOOTBALL MOM: We think our son can play in college somewhere. His stats do need to improve, and he is working hard to get there. What is the number one thing he could do to obtain his goals and be awarded a college scholarship next year?

THE FOOTBALL MOM SAYS: I get this question a lot. The short version is to marry the weight room. Eat fruits, vegetables, protein (meat), and carbs (pasta, potatoes). No monkey business such as partying, boozing, and certainly no drugs. Do the reps. More reps equals better chance to nail position. He should focus, and be the first to practice, and last to leave. Do what coach tells him to do. Get the grades. I will tackle this question again in future posts. Remember, this is not an awards ceremony—any player at any level has earned it.

The Football Mom answer questions from readers about the game of football. People submitting questions do not have to give their names. Email them to: Candy@CandyAWestbrook.com

ABOUT THIS COLUMN

Candy A. Westbrook is The Football Mom. Her family grew up living and breathing football with two sons playing college ball.

Westbrook, whose oldest son lives in Shelby, said her goal is to start a conversation with parents and other family members of players seeking answers to the tough questions in a tough sport.

"Parents or guardians of prep players, regardless of level, are always looking for the inside scoop from fundraising ideas for peewee parents, middle school or high school, to signing day to the college campus routine," says Westbrook. "We try to answer a variety of questions and scenarios surrounding the game."